Question 2 ,

add two quote from each story and remember to add the page number of the quotes .

PAPER .

1)  " three minutes was a heap of ashes on th grave ."

2) " Forty thousand  dollars had been saved . The house cost many times that "

THE MARTYRDOM OF HELENA RODRIGUES

1) " trained her husbandd into near punctuality for meals"

2) millstone of sacrifice and unselfishness "

 SUNDOWNER

1) " children  are just skin and bone and riddled with diesease "

2) " The  coolies spend all their money  on drink  "

 TANJONG RHU

1) " see-far glasses ? what do i want to look at farway for? "

2) " i donated a pint of blood , didnt i? you old folk just give her burial clothes ! "

EVENING UNDER FRANGI PANI

1) " im glad you've converted to Christianity"

2) " its your father . His hands . They're like beetles. "

3)" prakash came on too strong, dint he ?"

LEE

1) " Wearing batik print and taking photographs of everything "

2) " rather sarcastic about some girls who cried at a test mark of - 64 out of hundred ."

A HISTORY OF TEA

1) " Uncle Raja was  the oily man .

2)" a storm in the teacup "

A DREAM OF CHINA

1) "regarded as his supremeact of cawardice " pg  125

2) "die in exile, never to return " pg 125

 RELEASE

1)  " her husband being away more than he was at home " pg 145

2) " blinded by the screan that filled her mind " pg 148

AN OBITUARY FOR FIFTH AUNT CAME LATE

1) " she was my aunt but i didnt make a point to be her neice" pg 149

2) " no one had touched her there, or there, or there " pg 153

CORRIDOR

1) " Who said i wasnt happy at home ? you all go to work whole dy never see me in the house " pg165

2) " the memory of the ded man stayed with me as i wandered barefoot out onto the corridor ." pg 174

MID - AUTUMN

1) "But like that waste money, very gek sim. Whenever I lose money, it makes gek sim- it hurts my hearts". Pg 176.

2)"I stayed in my teaching job so I could afford the best education for my daughter". Page 180.

Hamid And The Hand Of Fate
 

1) "Hamid is such a good boy" (Pg 195)

2) "He had a brutal fate to thank for that" .  Page 192.  

THE MOVE

1)"History, man!" she could just hear Tommy saying to his sons" Page 210.

2)"She locked up the old flat for the last time" (Pg 210)

PASTIME

1)"You know this is just a story, a story to pass time. This isn't real life!" Pg 218 

2)"theres a young girl taking a train"(pg 219)

c)Answer Question 1 to 6 on page 91 between 150 to 300 words each . your answer must be in complete with at least 2 quote from thebook . Again , you must identify thee act, scene...

1) With a parent- child relationship, vinod would have someone to talk to or share his thoughts , feeling & problem with  . With a parent like vinod, competitive

and also having a job of high status ,Vinod are expected to do well and maintain their status .He is bron t be the top in everything . Vinod's parent are always working and never had he time for him . From this , we cn see that there is a lack of understanding nd communication between them . When he is facing a breakdown ,his parent did not care instead they are annoyed with him  and are convince that there is nothing wrong with Vinod. He felt heartbroken that he never parental love which he wanting.

Q2: 'Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall.' To what extent do you agree with this analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy?
-Yes  i agree as Vinod even think that it is the end of the world whe he did not score straight 'A' for his A level . Vinod is pushing himself . From the text , " i was only train to run " . Vinod lways set a high expectation of himself . He had determine to protect Saloma but when the robber incident broke out , Vinod  was helpless and defenseless much less to save saloma . He felt miserable when he could not meet his expectation . His high expectation had got the better of him as it had drive to his depression . 


Q3: Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.
 -Saloma transformation could be due to the help of  Vinod Emily . Emily  have encourage  Saloma not to give up and have faith in herself. Emily taught Saloma two strong phase , " i am strong nothing can destroy me " and " they are jealous because  i am special " . It is to build up her self - confidence . It gave her  strength to overcome  challenges that she had been facing . She also had the desire to work , but her intention was strongly against by her mother , "mak" . Saloma also did not obey her mum , she still went on medication when her mum strongly did not approve of it .Saloma wanted to help her mum . She wanted to work to reduce her mum burden as she felt guilty that her mum had to pay for her medication.Saloma wanted to support her mum, she even want to buy mak a new sofa , " you always say the  sofa old "The fact that she wants to help and support her mother, played an important role in her transformation. She did not want to be a burden for her mother, she wants to provide money for her mother when she gets old or retire in the near future. Having said that, these are my reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.

Q4: "Though a minor role in the play, the character of Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre." To what extent do you agree with this assessment?

Yes,as i believe that the character of Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre because he is someone who understands and care for both Saloma and Vinod, a fatherly-figure fort them . Razali on the other hand seem fake , like an illusion as both Saloma n Vinod wanted a bapak . Vinod just want a fatherly love while salom , her dad die when she was still young ,Though Razali is a guard of the void deck, he shows care and concern to both Vinod and Saloma, teaching malay and giving advice to Vinod, while taking care of Saloma and once bought apok-apok(curry puffs) for Saloma, which reminded her of her real father, saying he'll buy some apok-apok for her when he returns, to Saloma, Razali was like a father to her.
Q5: "Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyatta" means to "Give, Sympathise, Control". How did the major characters in the play exert control in their environment and/or their lives? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
-Vinod learn the acceptance of others . The promise with Emily encourage him to use the robber incident as a motivational . Emily told Vinod to be strong after the incident but it was otherwise .Vinod had taken aback by the incident as he is unable to protect Saloma  and even suffer  a breakdown. Saloma in the other hand , control  her destiny like " kau tak payah  kerja  just rest " . She went against her mother and take control of her life for example, she sent out her resume to the General hospital and ate her medicine on time. Saloma even went to the police station to check if the robber have been caught.Vinod is give Saloma the protection , security and advise she needs but on the other hand Vinod is trying to control her , as he do not want saloma to be part of the normal word, and leaving him alone . Vinod do not wish Saloma to be better.Vinod exerted control by trying to control Saloma's life while for Saloma, she controlled her life and did not allow her illness, schizophrenia to consume her. Saloma desire to get better but Vinod is trying to stop her recovery .



Q6: Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
- Peer stayed away from them , like Vinod friend, whenever Vinod call , he is always not in . Denise even tried to avoid him .Her body language prove so, as she keep looking that the clock . It shows that she is not comfortable meeting Vinod, an ex- patient of the wood bridge . She looks like she is rushing and in a hurry. Vinod ''friend'' was just using him for his cleverness : essay and compo .Vinod family pay apart in his breakdown too , for their ignorant and refuse to acknowledge that Vinod is actually sick and they were not there for Vinod when he need them the most.

 HOLIDAY HOMEWORK (!)

1b) add 5 memorable quotes from OFF CENTRE and you must identify the act , scene and the page no. of the quotes .

1) "They are jealous because I am special" (Act 2 , Scene 2 , Page 55)

2 )"I am strong , nothing can destroy me" ( Act 2 , Scene 2 , Page 58) 

3) "Your mind is very pure Saloma. Very pure." Act two Sscene two , pg 56 

4)"Everything is so void. Who are we trying to avoid?" Act two scene three, pg 63 

5)" Are you a man or not Vinod ?" (Act 3 , Scene 1 , Page 85)

1) Do the respective authors use these traditional chinese rituals ( eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper and houses, lighting joss-sticks and praying to dead ancestors) just for irony or for more profound purposes? What are these purposes?


Ans:  Irony purposes , as for example int the story Paper, Tay Soon is obbessed with his dream house even to the extent that he keep talkiing  about it . He was slowly saving up for to buy his dream house that he got hook up  in share and stock for a quick way to get  money . He and his wife later got greedy that he kept on buying . Hence the stock blow up and they were left pennyless . He went nuts and eventually died . Then, his mother took care of his funeral and  even bought for him  a house that was most beautiful to see . ( pg 8)  It stood seven feet tall , a delicate  framework of wire and thin bamboo strips covered with finely worked paper myriad colours .  There was even a swimming pool  , four servant  to attent to the needs of the master which is his son . A Chevrolet and Mercedes was also bought for the son .
It is a irony as the son couls not get it in real life and hence his mother help to fulfil his wish by getting him luxury house for him to enjoy at the " other world " .

2) Would you  yourself, as a mordern youg Singaporean, see the relevence of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still, or are a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking?

Ans: To me, such culture are a necessary  still as its a tradition to the chinese to believe and act like such , like in the story Paper, where the granmother do not believe in getting rich fast and she is " old fashion" hence, when the share market fall, she was not affected .While Tay Soon on the other hand was emotionally and physically affected .Burning of paper money or house is necessary as it is the chinese belief that the things that they burn will be given to the decease at the 'other world'. We could progess by looking at the traditional way  like their culture rituals to as an example as such ritual had been past from generation to generation .

3) Do you think the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world? How far is it a virtue to remain contented like old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more that a person, especially an elderly one, can want?

Ans:For me i think that most of the elderly's in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world because they tend to not have the latest technologies,they dont learn how to use the computer like we do.They also dont usually likes youngsters this days with their wildness because back then their parents are strict and firm with the child but nowadays all of that seems gone.They dont want their life to change.It is not good to always remember the past because we must be at the present but just remember the past.Mrs li is very contented with her life knowing that she must offer incense to her dead husband is a daily ritual for her,nowadays the younger generation dont do that as they are more westernized.By far,it is not healthy for one to always remember the past and die with it.One must always look on a positive note and face the challenges ahead.




4) I looking back at the past necessarily a good thing? This particular story uses the past to affirm strong ties, emotion and sentiment, but when can it become a negative habit?

Ans:Sometimes looking back at the past is a good thing especially whenever you are sad,bored or wanting to learn from a mistake.For Mrs li's case it is negative as she always lives with the past never letting go of it she doesnt even care about the future all she does is praying to her late husband altar while all her sons,daughters and grandchildren are slogging their hearts out to beat the fierce competition faced in the world.To her if she has proper logging and shelter she doesnt mind not moving along with the fast pacing world.Its not a good for an elderly to do that as i feel like they are just awaiting death and join their late husband or wife.

Done by nuraini bte Osman

Choose two stories that review the thinking of an older generation of Singaporeans . What new insights   have you gain from such a revelation .


- In the story of Tanjung Rhu, Ah Ma represent the older generation who is a parent and grandmother herself . She keep talking about the past which irritate Mr T.W. Li which is her son . She have different perspective of Tanjung Rhu while her son view it otherwise  eg . when she followed her son to his work place she look out the window through a binoculars. She still recollects times when her husband is still alive and Mr Li is still a boy playing by the sea. Ah Ma see Tanjung Rhu more than a place .
We gain a new insight by knowing about the past and people living around her during that time. She is nostalgic

- In the story of  The Move ,Grandmother represent the older generation. She move willingly and did not feel sad as her son invite her to move with them .She is reluctant to leave her precious things behind and even wanted to bing a ashtray which only cost a few dollars at most . Being an older generation, they always treasure every single thing and do not like to waste even a single cent. In page 205, the grandmother was not allowed to bring her plant along . To her , she find it unreasonable as she had most of the plant even before her children was born but her son explain the reason to her .




Choose file/link and write comment of 50-100 about the content of the blog ( not design/ picture / layout ) You must identify yourself .

- julius
- dahlya
- edmund
- farah
- nuramirah

How is motherhood presented in any two or three stories in the collection?





      In the story Mid-autumn a mother worked hard for the sake of her daughter just to give her a better future and not be like her.Even though her husband took away twenty-thousand dollars from her joint account and her husband sold of the bedok flat which she paid for herself,she felt like running away but when she was downstairs a drip of water from the pole hanging felt like it was her daughters tears so she went up back.But when her daughter was grown up she did not repayed back her mother instead she left abruptly and didnt tell them that she was leaving to Uganda,to become a social worker.She knew that her mother would not like it when she becomes a social worker,she was defiance.The mother still hopes for her daughter return and treasure her letters because she loves her.Thus,a mother's love is never ending.

    In the story The Move,is about a mother who is moving house to a better environment with her son.With altuism,she felt that she has to follow her son and leave the old house/the past to a new but different environment from her old house ,she feels rather uncomfortable leaving the old house that is why she wanted to bring everything to her son new house,because of her endless love towards her sons she couldnt bare to leave them,she followed them and lived with them.Thats is a mother sacrifices for her sons.

altuism -sacrifice yourself for the sake of others/sincere.






Select two stories in which there is conflict between parents and child and show how far there is resolution of these differences at the end of the story.


In the story Lee,a father and a daughter fought over different issues such as their different styles,cultures,rules and many more.As her late mother and her father was divorced,the girl called Lee lived with her mother.The both of them migrated to California and didnt came back ever since.After she died her daughter came to Singapore back to live with her only kin,her father.They fought most because his daughter was very rude and untolerateble.She only eats celery sticks and he was irritated.They also fought because in Singapore they dont allow guy to enter a girls room but Lee was doing what was forbidden by the laws.The resolution is revealation because readers get to learn more about other countries cultures and family issues and how it have solid impact on other people.

In the story Mid autumn.there was a conflict between a mother,father and their only daughter.A mother who works endlessly to just give her daughter a better future heart was shattered when her daughter rejected everything and she left to Uganda for the less fortunate people there.One conflict was when her mother bought for her daughter a lantern and she literally left it at the playground and someone stole it.Her daughter said that they could buy a new one while her mother felt "geksim" and didnt like it.Secondly a conflict occured when the daughter got her degree and confessed that she wanted to help those in need,Her father complained and scolded her that all his night shifts and night blindness was the cause for making a better future for his daughter but she is not thankful.Her mother couldnt do anything but just consoled her not to leave just like what she did for her daughter when her husband "stoled" her money.The resolution is open ending as the daugther has not return from her trip to uganda which will take a long time to finish because there are to many sick people who lives in poverty everytime.




With reference to a suitable stories,discuss how far change is shown to be either welcomed,or feared.


In the story The Move ,changes is seen as welcome to Mdm Teo.Even though she dislike the sudden change of environment she still followed her son willingly.She was already up at seven , when her son said that they will be there at nine. This shows that she is already set to pack up the last bits of her thirty-years existence in aprtment unit 02-04 block 14.She was actually having a heavy heart to leave her old house which she stayed for more than a decade.She wanted to bring along all her precious stuff but her son insisted to throw it away or sell it without knowing what its worth. In the story, Ah Pek sarcasticly remark thats there are automatic trains that go above ground on sky bridges with no drivers. the old people do not believe in such for example, mrt. There was also a change in stall owner.A famous beef ball kway teow was replaced by a rojak stall which sell rojak which is quite rubbery . Hence, changes is welcome by Madam teo but her heart still feel for her past .



How are young people and their ideals presented in two or three stories in the collection?How far do you identify with these young people. ( the young ambition and goals .)




In the story Mid autumn , Mother work so hard for her daughter but she wanted to go Uganda .Her mother had sacrifice to bring up daughter but she was selfish and ignore her mother plead to stay . She was selfish as she wanted to help people who are suffering . She left her comfort zone and luxury to be a volunteer . She was rebellious and persistant in reaching her goal . Even without her parent blessings, she left and went to fulfill god's call . She studied hard for the doctor degree and did not became a well paid doctor here . Instead she choosed to be a low wages paid doctor not having barely enough to make a living.Even though she knew the task was dangerous as the facilities and the protection is quite limited.For me,i dont quite agree with the daughter because i must have my parents blessings to go anywhere i want or bad things will befall you.

LEE
Conflicts Internal: Insulted Singapore
Lee had insulted Singaporeans when she is one of them. That action of her wake made dad feel irritated. (pg 96)


External:
Dad had prepared chicken rice for Lee but Lee refused to eat as she was into health food. Dad was annoyed with her.


Climax His ex-wife had won the custody of their eight-year old child eight years ago and now came back to him due to her death.
Resolution Revelation
Lee knows about other country and is trying to adapt to it.




Piscopo
1. Irresponsible (pg 89, he does not want to take care of her)
2. heartless (pg 89, Lee was hurt by him as he sent her away)
3. Pretentious (pg 89)


Liwen
1. Insolent (pg 90, she says some exertive f*** like it mean nothing)
2. No manners (pg 98, she tore pages from the library)
3. Straight forward (pg 91, asking why he never wrote)
Dad 1. Patient (pg 91 , in the car even when Lee say f*** he did not scold but he was shock )


The most interesting segment is when Lee was in the car answering to her dad question about how Piscopo looks like. He could sense that Lee was feeling hurt. He knew from deliberately insouciant way she was puzzled and felt hurt by piscopo for sending her away. Knowing Lee was hurt, he wanted to hug her. He began to adapt being a father again.












Evening under Frangipani
conflict Internal:
When Prakash was fighting against his ego and pride


External:
Prakash laughed at Elaine’s father hand which he thought looked like beetles.


Climax Prakash went to meet Elaine parents and fought in her house
Resolution Open ending
It does not state what happened to Prakash, Elaine and asst manager.


Piscopo
1. Irresponsible (pg 89, he does not want to take care of her)
2. heartless (pg 89, Lee was hurt by him as he sent her away)
3. Pretentious (pg 89)


Liwen
1. Insolent (pg 90, she says some exertive f*** like it mean nothing)
2. No manners (pg 98, she tore pages from the library)
3. Straight forward (pg 91, asking why he never wrote)
Dad 1. Patient (pg 91 , in the car even when Lee say f*** he did not scold but he was shock )




The most interesting segment is when Prakash gave Elaine a plump, golden –green pomelo which she wanted to eat it right away. Disappointed that they had no knife to open it , Prakash took his house key . Carefully slit the pomelo open, he did the same for the other half and eventually, it open. Elaine clapped and cheered his triumph. She would remember that moment for the rest of her life .













Release
conflict Internal:
She could not get any sleep with the baby crying. She did not get enough sleep, in fact she did not get any sleep in days.


External:
The neighbour’s dog is making a lot of noise and it kept her baby awake and crying .Unfortunately, her neighbour is away.


Climax The neighbour went to Hawaii leaving the dog by themselves making so much noise that the baby wake up and that’s what been bordering Eileen .
Resolution Open-ending
We do not know when the neighbour comes back. The baby still cries and Eileen did not get her sleep.




Eileen 1. Friendly (pg 139, she to welcome the neighbour )
2. Forgetful (pg 140, despite her husband reminder, she still forget to get his suit )
3. Persistent (pg 145, she kept calling even after said SPCA can’t help )
Philip 1. Irritating ( pg 141, he kept reminding her about his suit )
2. Workaholic (pg 145, being away more than he was at home )
Neighbour 1. Unfriendly (pg 139 , she said ‘I’m not paying for her ‘ when Eileen said hi )
2. Insolent (pg141, she cut down the guava tree as its shadow fall on her property at five o’clock )
3. Inconsiderate (pg 146, they left the dog unprotected and is disturbing Eileen as it make lots of noise )




The most interesting segment is when she get no sleep as every time the baby fall asleep the four puppies would make noise and wake her baby up. It would be difficult to get her back to sleep. Even the SPCA was not on her side, they was unable to help her. Suddenly, came and talk to Eileen. He even offered to help keep the dog in another corner.













Pastime
conflict Internal:
Mr Lee saw the fat pink scars on the back of his skull, near the middle. If Mr Lee said anything Taipoh would stop his story .Hence, kept quiet


External:
Mr Lee mention about friendship and Taipoh frowned and ask to continue when he wanted to stop the story .
Climax Taipoh saw a young girl who look familiar to him but dare not approach her .
Resolution Revelation
Mr Lee story was not complete and we do not know what happen to him.


Taipoh 1. creative ( pg 213, he can mix both sad and happy in his story )
2. sensitive (pg, 217 when talk about friendship)
Mr Lee 1. smart (pg 220, he say you fight, you have to play with it )
A man with the limp 1. persistence (pg 214, Year, after year he would not give on )
2. loyal (pg213 , even after being exchange for freedom he would not do it )




The most interesting segment is when in the middle of the Taipoh story, he bowed his head. Mr Lee could see a fat pink scars on the back of his skull, near visible though the white hair. The story could be his and not just a story to pastime.









An Obituary for fifth Aunt come late
conflict Internal:
The author remember her aunt but its difficult to recall her .
External:
There was a war, head rolled .
Climax When the aunt was given over, her hands were so red they dangle from her arms, from her loose sleeves.
Resolution Revelation
The author remembers her aunt but it’s difficult to recall her.




Aunt 1. Clumsy (pg 149, she fell her stool because she shifted her weight wrong )
2. Guiless (pg153, she not capable of crimes)
Author 1. observant (pg , the author notice that her aunt was at certain times tall and at other short)


Aunt’s mother 1. She thrifty(pg152, she said don’t waste sugar)
2. Loving (pg160,


The most interesting segment is when the aunt was given away to Ah Ting , as he earn more than Aunt’s father .Also, he had lesser mouth to feed .Kwanyin has lose patient with aunt . Ah Ting likes girl and will treat aunt well. They are sending her away without caring for her feeling .They even went before Father wake up.









History for tea
conflict Internal:
Auntie Sherrie suffered a lot as she was hated by grandmother (pg, 117)
External:
Grandmother told stories about the oil man and said that he is Uncle Raja (pg, 112)
Climax When grandmother refuse to ask Sherrie to come back from England on her deathbed(115)
Resolution Revelation
The author is able to step out of the situation to reflect on his experiences.




Grandmother 1. Unforgivable (pg115, she refused to forgive Auntie Sherrie)
2. Mean(pg112, she told stories about Uncle Raja being the oily man)
Author 1. Casual(pg 109, he dress simple compare to Beverly)
2. Vain(pg115, he was so anxious about his pimples)
Beverly 1. Ignorant(pg113, she never visited the house her mother grow up in )
2. Courageous( she have plan to study at Oxford)


The most interesting segment is when grandmother told the author a story about his history and be proud of it .The image of the author’s grandfather being bloated up by food in death. The author family members not one of them believe in food and tea which it’s just normal torture.

☻